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SparesguideFri, 19 Oct 2018 12:31:03 +0000enhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8109711599Understanding the Hybrids As They are Here to Stay.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/understanding-the-hybrids-as-they-are-here-to-stay/
Fri, 19 Oct 2018 12:31:03 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1538When the first hybrid cars hit the showrooms roughly two decades ago, they were dismissed as science projects. But now hybrid powertrains can be found in everything from high-end supercars, to humble taxis, and even in commercial vehicles. As automakers continue to innovate and push towars more electrification with the ultimate goal of phasing out the internal-combustion engine, hybrids will likely become even more numerous over the next decade or so. But if you’re unsure as to what exactly a hybrid is and how it works, we’ve got the answers. And if you’re interested in buying one, we’ve got a few tips for picking the best hybrid car for you.

In the wake of hybrid vehicle it time we understood what hybrid really means. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that combines more than one power source to drive the vehicle. The most popular type (at the moment) combines electric energy and an internal combustion engine. An all-electric vehicle (like the Nissan Leaf or Tesla cars) is not a hybrid since its only power source is from the battery pack.

Hybrids work in a few different ways. Typically, a battery powers an electric motor until the car reaches a certain speed and then a small internal combustion engine takes over. The internal combustion engine can also act as the primary drive system if the battery is depleted. Chevy’s Volt works a little differently in that most of the time the electric motor is propelling the car and the internal combustion engine is keeping the battery fully charged (or attempting to do so).

If you are looking to get into a hybrid purely to save money, you might be barking up the wrong tree (er, driving down the wrong back road). It is true that hybrids are coming down in price and the government is still offering some subsidies, but how much you save all depends on how much you drive. One of the added benefits of a hybrid beyond maybe saving money, however, is they generally pollute less. Sometimes it’s a lot less. And that’s a breath of fresh air.

About a decade ago the research and development to hybrid cars kicked off in most the car manufacturing board rooms with the Chevy Volt looking to make significant changes in order to stay competitive and to raise sales figures. It has yet to be the seller Chevy hoped it would be. Honda’s best attempt at chasing down the Toyota Prius and according to this review, it comes ever so close. You could even say it beats the Prius, in a way, because the Accord is big, big car. Ford’s attempt seems like an honest one, but it just can’t match the Honda Accord or Toyota Prius when it comes to fuel economy. But it’s not always about the numbers, right? Well, Ford hopes that’s the case. Still, the C-Max is not another wedge-shaped driver. It’s European through and through and maybe that’ll be enough to spark some interest.

Do you want a German car that gets the fuel economy of a hybrid? Up until now, VW’s answer was: try our latest diesel car. But Americans are a funny lot and we don’t want ​to use diesel. We want our gasoline burning cars. We just don’t want them to burn that much gasoline.

The most obvious example of a hybrid vehicle is the Toyota Prius, which is the car that in 1997 started the mass-market hybrid economy vehicle trend that millions have come to enjoy. And the reason why hybrids are intensely popular is because they reduce one of the highest costs of ownership: fuel consumption. Remember this guy? The 1997 Toyota Prius was the first mass-market hybrid vehicle.

Better fuel economy is the primary motivation behind hybridization. But more recently, automakers are noticing that hybridization benefits performance. We’ll get to that in a second … In essence, a hybrid’s electric motor gets its juice from an on-board battery pack that usually sits in the trunk behind the rear seats or in the floor pan to lower the center of gravity for improved handling. A very insightful information that I come across during my research is that a Toyota Prius used a single tank of gas to travel from Dubai to Riyadh a covering a total distance of around 1740 kilometers.

When certain driving conditions favor the use of only the electric motor, such as driving below a certain speed or sitting at idle, the engine remains off and thus burns zero gasoline. When the battery level gets to a certain depletion level or if heavy throttle loads are required, the gasoline motor automatically kicks in to assist both in recharging the battery and propelling the drive wheels.

]]>1538Dear Kenyans Avoid Deadly Distractions Behind the Wheel.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/dear-kenyans-avoid-deadly-distractions-behind-the-wheel/
Mon, 20 Aug 2018 09:32:19 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1522It’s in every drivers mind that at the end of the day he will go back to his/her family safe and sound having accomplished that day’s tasks. And likewise what every business owner wants to see that employees get safely to the jobsite or that cargo or products or pizza are safely delivered to their customers. Every year, distracted driving becomes a bigger barrier in the way of that goal.To my simple understanding the primary task of anyone behind the steering wheel of a car or truck is to safely control that vehicle on and off the highway. However too often we see a news report that starts with something like, “This morning’s fatal accident on the inbound highway was caused when a distracted driver…” or “reckless driver was overtaking…”

Driver distraction is anything that diverts the driver’s attention away from the driving task onto another activity. Many people have a limited definition of “distracted driving”: They think it only means texting, mobiling and sleeping behind the wheel. As a society, we are becoming more aware of motor accidents and the need to help those who suffer from it. However, even though we are making progress in reducing the stigma surrounding this condition, it remains an invisible problem, as is in many cases people don’t get to learn the way to solve this. They will be quick to shout arrest the rogue driver and police do this do that and even the authorities are blamed for lack on comprehensive inspection of the vehicles. I recently read post suggesting that a driver speed of a police stop causing panic among passengers. Are most drivers prone to mental illness because of their jobs?Driving is stressful, sitting on traffic for long hours on the road and adherence to tight /strict office and schools timings can be deadly as well. Isolation while driving can exacerbate symptoms or can cause difficulties, all while creating a situation where drivers may struggle to form closer support networks. In addition, the near-misses on the road coupled with challenges in eating healthfully and getting exercise can mean issues such as depression can impact truck drivers disproportionately.

Today am not interested with truck drivers, however my attention is drawn to the fact that more than ever before Nairobians are turning their steering wheels into dining tables just to safe time or be on time. Dashing in and out of fast foods, with snacks in their hands straight to their cars, or worse still grabbing that morning breakfast to enjoy it in traffic. However it is important to note the law does not forbid it in many of the British colonies or those who drive on the simple rule of “keep left”. According to the studies, people who use cell phones while driving do have more crashes and close calls when compared with other motorists, but cell phones do not seem to have an impact on overall collision risks.

The problem, according to researchers, is distracted driving itself and not cell phone use in particular. Consider the fact that those who are texting or using a cell phone may slow down or engage in other activities to reduce the risk of crashing. Drivers who are not on cell phones, however, are not necessarily safer because they are more likely to take part in other distractions – such as eating, talking with passengers, or smoking – when compared with drivers who use mobile devices. There’s good reason for that, because texting requires visual, manual and cognitive attention – the same attention required for safe driving. But although texting is perhaps the most dangerous distraction, there are many others that can impact how you drive, whether you realize it or not. And they can be just as deadly any type of distraction can lead to a collision, including:

Talking on the phone

Speaking with passengers

Eating.

Adjusting car temperature or other components/ stereos

Setting or looking at the GPS or other display

Looking at billboards, a collision, or something else on the road

Grooming or applying makeup

Reading/ Checking a map

Anything that takes the driver’s mind off driving, their hands off the wheel, or their eyes off the road can cause a collision. Unfortunately, legislators have focused only on mobile device use in part due to past studies and in part because it is possible to legislate and enforce such laws. Trying to get a law passed against daydreaming and driving, for example, would be impossible.

Eat before you leave, or after you get there: Scarfing down that burger with one hand on the wheel means your focus is divided – and you probably don’t have as much control over your car as you should. Bonus benefit: Keeping your meals and your driving separate means you’re much less likely to get ketchup on your pants.

]]>1522Tesla Owners Headed to a Big Crisis by 2020 as Warranty Expires.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/tesla-owners-headed-to-a-big-crisis-by-2020-as-warranty-expires/
Fri, 03 Aug 2018 17:26:39 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1506Just before you make that big decision of going completely green in cars and ordering a Tesla there are some important things you need to consider. As long as I can remember that’s how long it’s been since my Tesla Model S was damaged in an accident, and I still don’t have my car back. That’s nearly eight months of rather large monthly payments for a car I’m unable to drive; nearly eight months of incrementally higher costs associated with insurance and registration for a car that’s sitting in the shop; nearly eight months of having to find and arrange alternative transportation; nearly eight months of having to buy gas again, while the gas savings had previously helped to offset said large monthly payments; nearly eight months of impatiently waiting to get back a car that I absolutely love; and nearly eight months of regularly prodding Tesla for updates with little to no response.

You may assume that my car was involved in some sort of catastrophic collision that would require hours upon hours of labor to repair. No. It was a run-of-the-mill accident. Tesla is predominantly responsible for why it is taking so long, because out of those eight months, over five of them have been spent doing nothing but waiting for parts, yes parts that the problem right there. Tesla doesn’t give patent rights to other companies to manufacture parts on their behave and them concentrating on the designs and productions of newer models they leave no space for after sales services, a thing that works well with dealers and third party garages.

Having read numerous reviews and stories of those who had ditched gasoline sometimes back and now they are back to the petrol station whereas their green cars sit in some unknown repairs shops gathering dust is devastating. More so the manufacturer doesn’t seem to care much about the issue. Am sure most of you by now know the Tesla doesn’t allow anyone out of their workshops to carry out repairs. Having in mind that they only warrant their cars for 8 years and having started the first commercials/consumer production models. Am yet to understand how they will deal with the crisis after 2020.

I have come to a conclusion that the main reason behind this is the security that was put in place by Tesla. The OPEN Source security to any patent rights is a big thank Apple was able to deal with it after many years of market lockout by Microsoft. Open-source doesn’t mean less secure than proprietary. It doesn’t mean that someone could override security features. To the contrary, being open-source would mean you make even more sure by good design (open proven security features instead of being tempted to use “security by obscurity”). It would allow to public scrutiny of the security and to increase the level of confidence. With proprietary solutions, such kind of scrutiny is only available to deep pockets or to people with lots of paid spare time, and it doesn’t make it safer.

Just to give an example: With an open-source approach, each data-packet changing acceleration or steering would most probably be encrypted and signed with a hardware-dependent key, and the acceleration control would have a short timeout to slow down quickly and safely in case it looses its safe controlling signal. And in case of tinkering detected (e.g. wrong signatures, the system would disable itself, with proper error message) In proprietary approach with “secrecy by obscurity”, some might think that these extra-safety features are not needed! But maybe some of these are implemented, but with proprietary secretive implementation, only Tesla and reverse-engineers with lots of spare time could know.

However having understood the fundamental issue that is behind Tesla single patent rights it good now to understand what people out there think about Tesla monopoly of production. People think that Tesla can kill a training mechanic unless he works for Tesla, that’s a myth unless it’s a time bomb then cars that are turned off can’t kill their mechanic unless he drops a match in the gas tank. This car can. I hope people understand that 400 Volts is lethal and available even when the car is off.

For instance if you learned about how EVs and Hybrids are engineered you would realize there is no power leaving the battery pack unless the car is turned on and READY to be driven. There are countless safeguards built into these vehicles. There is also no known instance of a technician or first responder getting killed by electricity by working on or being around an EV or Hybrid, even during an accident. If this were to happen, it would be front page news. However all Tesla technicians wear 1 inch rubber soles and do not allow customers into the service areas. If you learned how electricity works then you would understand anytime there is a difference in potential (volts) closing of a circuit causes electrons to flow. Cutting off a relay to make the power cable cold in a car that is off does not remove the voltage potential in the car it just isolates it and, of course, relays never stick or fail. If you mess with 400 Volt hardware it is a pretty good idea to know what you are doing. Read the Tesla first responder’s manual and then you will understand how Tesla work.

Bottom line from us here we still can’t advise anyone to go green at the moment until the law is changed and obey on the patent part, else you might find yourself paying for a car that in for simple repair for month. Generally Tesla’s weakness here is certainly related to its ability to produce parts, which continues to improve every month. Theoretically, parts production should accelerate as Tesla continues to ramp its overall manufacturing capacity, which is not happening, one of the bizarre stories of Tesla customer from Bangladeshi had to ship his car back to the US for minor repairs. Quite expensive else they wouldn’t repair it beacuse they don’t have a workshop in the Middle East region. Just before you buy it know it.

]]>1506Volvo XC60. A Combination of Refined Strength and Swedish Design.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/volvo-xc60-a-combination-of-refined-strength-and-swedish-design/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/volvo-xc60-a-combination-of-refined-strength-and-swedish-design/#respondFri, 11 May 2018 18:28:26 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1492From deep inside the versatility is at the heart of Volvo’s XC60. The SUV impresses whether you take it through the city or out on the open road. Features such as all-wheel drive and the manufacturer’s famous safety systems help you to always feel in control and protected no matter the environment.

It s not surprising for me to have seen the all new Volvo XC60 being voted World Car of the Year 2018. This uniquely Scandinavian mid-size SUV crossover delivers innovative, intuitive technology that connects you and your car with the world. Its cabin blends exceptional craftsmanship with everyday versatility and puts you in command at the wheel. A sophisticated chassis balances comfort and control, while our latest safety technology helps protect what’s important to you. This is the dynamic Swedish SUV, evolved.

Volvo starts with the concept of designing around you – a car that must look beautiful, engage the driver and makes itself useful. The XC60 is built for enjoyment, because Volvo thinks you should enjoy every drive in your car, no matter how short or long the journey. That’s why we crafted the XC60 to be a car that you feel inspired and confident when driving. Experience the rewards offered by the dynamic handling in a cabin that provides outstanding comfort and a calm, restful environment. With seats designed to perfectly complement the human form, the interior of the XC60 is a haven.

From every angle the XC60 is the SUV with a unique Scandinavian attitude. Full-LED headlights with distinctive T-shaped daytime running lights create an unmistakable impression, day or night, while rear lights that flow into the tailgate are a Volvo design cue that emphasize the car’s strength. This is the Volvo approach to driving enjoyment. Leather seats, a sunroof, automated emergency braking, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard; a semi-autonomous driving mode is optional. A system with adaptive cruise control, a rearview mirror compass, power-folding second-row seats and headrests, power child locks, heated washer fluid routed through the wiper blades, and Volvo’s HomeLink. Additional wallet-lightening features included the sport steering wheel and black headliner, worth of metallic paint, and finally, the Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

The Volvo XC60 sits right at the heart of the big-selling mid-size crossover crowd. It’s handsome and luxurious and it wraps you in a safety blanket as comprehensive as the Swedish welfare state. It’s not distracted by off-road ambitions. Neither is it wearing the pretence of track-lapping athleticism. So it’s not hampered by the heavy and cumbersome hardware of the former, or the harsh inflexibility of the latter. However other car makers are back to the drawing board and this middle-of-the-road approach of course lands it some stern rivals. The Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5 are both right there, and both implacably competent. But the Volvo feels very different inside. Its decor is as Skandi as a Stockholm boutique hotel bar. For this reason alone I can see tremendous improvement and technological shifts among the coveted car makers in the next few months.

The generation-2 XC60 starts with a lot of momentum behind it. The old one wasn’t only Volvo’s best-selling car, it was also the best-selling vehicle of that type in Europe. Its suspension manners might have been pretty rough-and-ready but even that wasn’t enough to hold the old car back. The new one gives Volvo a chance to exploit the old buyers’ loyalty while fixing the faults. That means a better suspension. It also brings more tech and even more safety features.

The platform, powertrains, suspension, seats, and interior operating system are unashamedly the same as other recent Volvos. In short the new XC60 is the XC90 reduced. Reduced but not diminished. For the loss of the XC90’s third row of seats, it gains a handier-sized outline and a little extra agility. At launch at least, the range is all 4WD and automatic transmission. Diesels are the four-cylinder 2.0, in D4 tune giving 190bhp, and in twin-turbo T5 tune it’s 235bhp. The pure petrol option is a four-cylinder turbo T5 of 254bhp. Final powertrain is the ‘Twin Engine’ plug-in hybrid T8 pack. That’s a 320bhp turbo-plus-supercharged front drive with 87bhp of electric rear drive. As a plug-in hybrid it can whisper along on that electric drive for 15-20 miles, so long as you treat the accelerator like an eggshell.

Thankfully, this Volvo is far more refined, and it makes for impressive acceleration to around 5.1 sec to 60 mph. this could be dangerous in the safety was to be compromised but it not and on the safety front the XC60 runs even more helping-hand systems than any other Volvo.

]]>http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/volvo-xc60-a-combination-of-refined-strength-and-swedish-design/feed/01492Range Rover Velar, Updated After the World Award.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/range-rover-velar-updated-after-the-world-award/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/range-rover-velar-updated-after-the-world-award/#respondFri, 04 May 2018 13:42:57 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1478The crown of the World Car Of The Year Award, the Range Rover Velar has pleased its owners and earned some goodies, it could be to convince the customers that were still not into it but it’s a good move. It’s been broadened with a new diesel engine and there’s a new steering assist option to take the effort out of motorway driving.

In their own words “Range Rover Velar is our most refined and capable medium SUV. Explore its advanced driving capabilities and stunning design in detail. The Range Rover Velar design philosophy is revolutionary. Striking proportions, flush door handles and an integrated rear spoiler all improve aerodynamics. Features including the foil stamped grille give the vehicle’s front profile an undeniable presence”

The new addition to the line-up – a 271bhp D275 3.0-litre diesel engine – means you can now buy a V6 diesel Velar for under £50,000 for the first time. At the same time, value is enhanced by a number of new standard features, such as a rear parking camera and parking sensors all round, as well as emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.

There’s an expanded range of optional driver-assistance systems, too, chief among which is adaptive cruise control with steering assistance. Operating up to 112mph, steering assistance helps you to stay in your lane on the move, while the adaptive cruise control is able to bring the car to a complete halt and then move off again in stop-start traffic. At the other end of the speed scale, high-speed emergency braking operates at up to 99mph, can detect an imminent collision before alerting you and will automatically applying the brakes if you don’t intervene in response.

Adaptive Dynamics – a system that constantly monitors wheel and body movements and makes suspension adjustments accordingly – can be added to several models. Land Rover promises that the system “optimises” suspension stiffness for the prevailing driving conditions to the benefit of ride comfort and handling, as well as off-road prowess. Meanwhile, air suspension is now available on all V6 models, as well as the four-cylinder 296bhp P300 petrol and 237bhp D240 diesel, bringing increased comfort and all-terrain agility over the conventional suspension fitted as standard.

There’s also a wider choice of interior finishes across the range and four-cylinder petrol models now have a larger 82-litre fuel tank, compared to the 63-litre tank fitted previously. Petrol engines also now have particulate filters to remove fine particles from exhaust emissions. We hope that with the optional upgrades the Range Rover Velar will stamp with authority its presence on our roads.

]]>http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/range-rover-velar-updated-after-the-world-award/feed/01478Geneva Motor Show 2018: World Car Of The Year Finalists Announced.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/geneva-motor-show-2018-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/geneva-motor-show-2018-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/#respondFri, 20 Apr 2018 12:08:10 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1467Each year Geneva Motor Show as is tradition, is characterized by a special segment that seeks to identify and showcase the biggest three cars in 7 different categories. The World Car Of the Year top three finalists for the overall crown and the individual categories have been announced at the 2018 Geneva Auto Show. The top three finalists for the prestigious Car Of The Year for the second year in a row are SUVs or crossovers. The three SUVs are the Range Rover Velar, the Mazda CX-5 and the Volvo XC60. The final announcement to crown the winner of the prestigious World Car Awards will be announced at the upcoming New York Auto Show later this month. Last year too, the top three finalists for the prestigious award were all SUVs clearly showing the direction in which the motoring industry is shaping the future.

The top 3 finalists in the prestigious World Car of the Year awards programme have been announced, and it’s an SUV-fest. Have a look at those in line to drive away with the world’s most coveted motoring awards below. Selected by a high-profile jury consisting of 82 of the world’s motoring journalists. Am not fortunate to have driven all 3 of these vehicles and I think, for varying reasons, however as a motoring trend follower I can say it’s a solid selection, though the addition of a Kia Stinger or Alfa Romeo Giulia could have added more variety. Nevertheless, SUVs and crossovers are what the world markets want, so the top 3 are certainly in line with consumer trends.

This is generally a reflection of both the customer feedback and car marker ability to effect those feedback to reflect on the next production. Lets have a look at same of the finalists.

World Car Of The Year 2018 Finalists:

Range Rover Velar

Joining the V6s are a pair of four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engines, with 178bhp or 237bhp. The latter is decently refined for a four-cylinder unit and has a reasonable amount of punch, although it can’t match the six-cylinder diesel on either front. The other problem is that it’s barely any cheaper than the V6 diesel, especially once you factor in the six-cylinder car’s standard air suspension. Still, it might make some sense to company car buyers.

Volvo XC60

Mazda CX-5

World Urban Car Of The Year 2018 Finalists:

Suzuki Swift

Externally, the Swift Sport has been treated to a little extra visual aggression. It’s not as menacing as some, but the revised front bumper and grille, side skirts and rear diffuser with dual exit exhausts add just enough sporting intent, while the 17-inch alloys help deliver a more muscular stance. If you want to attract even more attention, then the new Championship Yellow paint job should do the trick – although it’s inclusion on the palette is a little odd considering Suzuki’s last title success was the Junior World Rally Championship way back in 2010

Am sure that we haven’t featured all of this cars on our review but we will be updating our reviews once we have completed them. Satisfying enough driving experience, more range than any other “affordable” SUV, interior feels like the future, but so does others serve the purpose and the day as the owners want.

]]>http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/geneva-motor-show-2018-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/feed/01467An Athletic Profile, Robust Front End, Roomy Seats, Taut Lines, its KOLEOS.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/an-athletic-profile-its-koleos/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/an-athletic-profile-its-koleos/#respondFri, 09 Mar 2018 10:03:04 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1450An athletic profile, robust front end, roomy seats, taut lines underscored with chrome, C-Shape LED Daytime Running Lights… New Renault Koleos captures everyone’s attention. Take a seat on board this crossover with an assertive design and roam with confidence. The Renault Koleos is a step forward in quality for the brand. This is the all-new Renault Koleos, a name you might remember from when the French carmaker tried his hands at crossover before they became truly fashionable. That one was pulled from sale in the UK back in 2010 due to slow sales however; the fact is it was bit rubbish.

Renault hopes that this larger model further boosts its fortunes. When that is simply said than done, one of the first hurdles that the Koleos faces is the five-seat only configuration. Most of its rivals, such as the Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sorento, offer seven seats, so Renault appears to be limiting its audience. Of course, because of its lack of seats, it has plenty of space. There’s enough rear passenger room to make Skoda look twice, and Renault is strengthening its hand by offering good levels of standard equipment, too, adding to the luxury of that space.

The styling is similar to that of the Renault Megane, unsurprisingly. The front of the Koleos features large C-shaped LED daytime running lights that define its ‘face’, while higher grade Signature Nav models get full LED headlights that look high-tech. Chrome detailing runs back along the front wing and into the front doors, while the side window surrounds and door handles get a similar chrome treatment. All this adds up to impressive presence from any angle, as it rides on either 18- or 19-inch alloy. More practical features like doors that fully cover the sills and an optional electric rear hatch that can be opened by waving your foot underneath notch up brownie points for the Koleos. Both the front and rear doors open to generous angles, too, which parents grappling with their offspring while trying to get them into car seats in the back will be glad of.

Many will be satisfied with the performance offering of the front-wheel-drive 1.6-litre diesel. Its 128bhp should be plenty to cope with everyday life, but there is a more powerful 2.0-litre diesel available at a £2,900 premium. As well as more power (174bhp) this gets all-wheel drive, plus the option to replace the standard six-speed manual gearbox with a seven-speed automatic. Base models are powered by the same 128bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre diesel that features in several other cars across the range. Mated to a six-speed manual, this drives only the front wheels and the gear shift is positive and solid in feel. The 236lb ft of torque, it has enough low-down grunt to pick up speed quicker than the official 11.4sec run to 62mph would suggest. Refinement is acceptable rather than outstanding, though at a cruise there is little in the way of noise from the engine.

The steering is direct for a car of this size, and despite its height, the Koleos doesn’t tend to roll around when you tentatively point it in the direction of a few interesting bends. And yet it’s not overly firm, either; in fact, it’s quite good at soaking up the bumps.

Interior is superb and the first thing you’ll notice when you sit inside the new Koleos is how roomy it seems. Pull the door shut, take note of the neat finger indents on the inside of the armrest’s door pull, and find yourself in an impressively comfortable driving seat. It’s easy to find a comfortable driving position, all around the cabin are materials that look and feel better than we’re used to seeing in recent Renault cars. The dashboard is very upright with grab handles on either side of the centre console, while trim panels across the passenger side fascia are echoed in the door panels, and there’s a healthy amount of cross stitching and leather, too.

Deep door bins and a seven-litre cubby beneath the centre armrest provide plenty of storage, and Renault reckons there’s a total of 35 litres of oddments space in the cabin alone. Further back, the boot has a useful 579 litres of space, which can be increased to 1,795 litres thanks to the 60/40 split-folding rear seat backs. The boot’s load height is a little high, but it has a flat floor, so there’s no lip to get bulky items over.

Rear passenger space is one of the Renault’s trump cards, and it features both head- and legroom that is easily among the best in the segment. The two outer seats have ISOFIX points and are every bit as comfortable as the front chairs. Even the middle rear seat isn’t too limited by what is only a small transmission tunnel.

In my conclusion am sure that some will see the lack of a seven-seat option as a problem, but Renault’s decision to stick to a five-seat format means luggage and passenger space are very impressive indeed. Passenger comfort ranks among the best in the segment, which is helped by a tangible enhancement of the interior ambience by the French company. Am sure many will fall in love with the koleos and will give the competitors a big run for their money. Enjoy your drive.

]]>http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/an-athletic-profile-its-koleos/feed/01450Is Mitsubishi Testing the Waters Again with the Eclipse.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/is-mitsubishi-testing-the-waters-again-with-the-eclipse/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/is-mitsubishi-testing-the-waters-again-with-the-eclipse/#respondSat, 03 Mar 2018 08:15:49 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1442If you arrive late at a party, then you either need to make a grand entrance or slink in through the back and pretend to have been there from the start. The Eclipse Cross takes the low-key approach. It feels pretty much like the encapsulation of the segment averages, although that could be welcome news for the Mitsubishi dealers who have been struggling to sell the subpar Outlander and Outlander Sport. I have for quite some time tried to study the modern car engineering but it keeps giving me headaches as most of the new brands and models only last for a few years after all those years and design and testing. Some car names die too soon, others cling to life with the tenacity of cockroaches, and a few even return from the dead. That’s the case with the new cars badged as an Eclipse, The mostly undistinguished two-door once built at Diamond-Star Motors, a Mitsubishi/Chrysler joint venture. There were rabid fans of the earlier iterations, but the final, 2012-model-year Eclipse is unlikely to find itself referenced in online lists of.

The Future of Crossover, its moniker, however, obviously possessed enough marketing for Mitsubishi to resurrect it for this new crossover: the Eclipse Cross. The official excuse for the name is the sloping roofline, which, the company reckons, means this qualifies as one of those coupe/crossovers, a less expensive variation on the theme established by the BMW X6. A dual-pane sunroof offers to bring more light into the cabin, but eats deeply into available head space.

Despite Mitsubishi’s claims that the Eclipse Cross represents a radical new direction for the brand, it’s fair to say the similarities it shares with the Outlander Sport and the Outlander are more marked than the differences, especially when it comes to its design. The front graphic seems to channel both the Lexus NX and the shiny dental work of Richard Kiel’s Jaws character from the James Bond films. Beyond that, pretty much all is generic crossover, including the gray plastic wheel-arch cladding, which must have once seemed like an original idea. It slots between the Outlander Sport and the Outlander in the hierarchy, sharing its 105.1-inch wheelbase with both, its 173.4-inch overall length splitting the difference between them. Novelty, such as it is, comes from a new downsized power plant: a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four with the internal code 4B40, an aluminum block and head, variable valve timing, and direct injection.

It is well expected that the power plant in the hood will not be enticing for most of the USA market and they declines to provide U.S. specs for this engine, yet it does say this will be the only mill on offer. The Europe standard production car claims 161 horsepower at a low-flying 5500 rpm, accompanied by 184 lb-ft of torque available from 1800 rpm. It’s possible the U.S. version will have a modest increase in the power figure. A trend that we see all over the brands in the U.S. markets.

It might have it sportive side in some markets, as they will be getting a six-speed manual gearbox for the basic front-drive version, all U.S.-market cars will use a standard continuously variable automatic transmission, with the separate option of all-wheel drive. Mitsubishi describes this as Super All-Wheel Control, the same name given to the clever torque-tweaking system it offered on the Lancer Evolution X (the company even puts a sticker on the rear window to boast about it). But the two systems are entirely unrelated: The Eclipse Cross’s is part-time with a clutch on the rear axle, and it can divert up to 45 percent of available torque rearward when slip is detected at the primary drive axle, which is the front one.

The novel element is a liftgate with two separate glass parts, allowing a rakish roofline without impinging on rear-seat practicality. This makes for a rear aspect reminiscent of the Toyota Prius or the less charitably Pontiac Aztek. Although it looks as if visibility should be compromised, actual vision through the rearview mirror is barely diminished from what you’d find with a one-piece rear window.

Perceived quality in the interior moves up by a couple of notches when compared with the Outlander—and a couple of dozen notches over the cheapo cabin of the Outlander Sport. But it still majors in dark, hard plastics, and much of the switchgear has been relegated to the hard-to-see lower areas of the dashboard. The tech factor is high, with our fully loaded test car having a 7.0-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display that projects onto a pop-up plastic reflector atop the instrument cluster. There’s also a touchpad controller between the seats, similar in feel to Lexus’s Remote Touch Interface and similarly fiddly to operate. The top-spec infotainment system we tested has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, but it doesn’t have any native navigation system.

Like most turbocharged small-displacement fours, the new engine delivers its best at low rpm, with little discernible lag and impressive initial urge when stepping off the line. This comes at the expense of feeling tight and breathless at higher revs; even with the gas pedal pressed against the firewall, the little engine won’t willingly venture beyond its 5500-rpm power peak, although the tachometer’s redline is marked at 6000 rpm. The CVT is decent enough by the standards of such things, with programmed stepped ratios to cut down on the food-processor impression when hard acceleration is requested. But these pretend ratios are convincing only under gentle use; the gearbox slurs upshifts at higher revs, even if you choose to take control by using the manual mode. The combination of the non-gearbox and the torquey engine also created some surging at low speeds—there’s little idle creep and the car tends to lunge as soon as the throttle is pressed.

We didn’t get to drive the front-wheel-drive version, although the AWD system managed to find all the traction it needed on the smooth Spanish asphalt where our test drive took place, rarely being called upon to send torque aft. There was no chance to try the switchable Gravel or Snow modes. All-wheel drive perhaps mitigated the Eclipse Cross’s tendency toward understeer as its modest limits approach, and the electrically assisted steering is almost entirely devoid of road feel. On the plus side, ride quality was pliant over the few bumps we could find, and cruising refinement was good at highway speeds.

The Eclipse Cross is well constructed and well equipped, and it feels entirely capable of coping with the duty cycles that will be asked of it, but it does all this with little distinct personality beyond “unexceptional crossover.” While Mitsubishi’s recent absorption into the automaking Borg that is the Renault-Nissan alliance will doubtless add engineering expertise, what the brand really needs is an infusion of character.

The Eclipse Cross packs in more features than many in its price range, but a strange touchscreen-touchpad duo highlights the crossover’s inherent conflict. The features are helpful, but not substantially intuitive and have limited usefulness.

]]>http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/is-mitsubishi-testing-the-waters-again-with-the-eclipse/feed/0144270th Edition Land Rover Defender, Will be An Icon in Motoring World.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/70th-edition-land-rover-defender/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/70th-edition-land-rover-defender/#respondFri, 19 Jan 2018 09:01:17 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1430Land Rover has announced a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70th anniversary in 2018. The rare but big come back for the Defender especially after the chapter of the defender had turned pages. The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today. Am sure that the land rover lovers will be calling the UK factory for orders as early as the price is set.

Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 405PS and 515 Nm of torque while the standard Defender delivered 122PS and 360 Nm. The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6sec*, while top speed is increased to 106mph.

“It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time. The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders”. Tim Hannig. Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director.

Both 90 and 110 wheelbase Defender Works V8 derivatives will be available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic in the UK. A select number of high-performance upgrades inspired by Defender Works V8 will also be available to purchase soon from Land Rover Classic, including power upgrades for the TDCi diesel engine, fast-road suspension and braking kits.

It’s in this light that we can now speculate that the Land Rover intends to continue the Defender lineage and will use its technology, pioneering engineering capability and design expertise to ensure the longevity of the Defender name.

]]>http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/70th-edition-land-rover-defender/feed/01430K900, Kia’s First Swim in Luxurious Waters.http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/k900-kias-first-swim-in-luxurious-waters/
http://www.sparesguide.com/uncategorized/k900-kias-first-swim-in-luxurious-waters/#respondWed, 27 Dec 2017 06:49:02 +0000http://www.sparesguide.com/?p=1417It always good to find humour about the automotive industry remember it only after trial and error that the big name in the industry have mastered the art of bringing out the best. In aberration that is the Kia K900, we’re not going there. As an automaker, Kia may have been regarded as an easy joke at one time, but no one’s laughing now. And you know what they say about making the same mistake twice.

Unless you just pooped back to civilization you will be sure that K900 isn’t quite there yet. It’s merely an okay car playing in a field that’s full of far better alternatives wearing more prestigious badges. Kia’s entire history is one of introducing not-quite-there products at a bargain price, then incorporating the resulting feedback into improvements for each succeeding generation until, whoa, where did all those sales come from.

For now, let’s concentrate on the Kia’s first swim in luxurious waters. Its primary purpose here is to occupy a space in the showroom, telling those shopping that, when they’re ready for a leather-lined luxurious sedan, they can come back to Kia for that, too. And it’s doing a great job of sitting in those showrooms: Automotive News data shows that in any given month, Lexus usually sells roughly 4.5 times as many of its LS sedans and Cadillac about 14 times as many of its XTS sedans as Kia peddles K900s. The only reason you don’t read headlines about Kia failing to hit its K900 sales target is that the company wisely declined to share any such goals.

Following the usual response to slow sales, a price cut, took place late last year, corresponding to the addition of the new entry-level K900 tested here that drops the base price below $50,000. That’s for the base V6 Premium model, which still includes navigation, leather, and a panoramic sunroof but offers a V-6 in place of uplevel models’ 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8, which has served in the K900 since early 2014.

The V-6 gets this extra-large, 4455-pound machine up to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, only 0.7 longer than it took with the V-8—being 209 pounds lighter no doubt helped. There’s only 0.5 second and 3 mph separating the two at the end of a quarter-mile, and, more to the point, we never really felt that it was underpowered in normal driving. It is not appreciably slower than the heavier, more powerful AWD version of the Lexus LS460 F Sport we’ve also tested.

All that said, we must have been tromping the gas pedal pretty hard, because we averaged only 18 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. That’s the same as we extracted from the V-8 in the aforementioned short-term test and 3-mpg worse than we recorded for our long-term, 40,000-mile V-8 test car, which did a lot more long-distance highway trips. In theory, the V-6 should be less thirsty, earning EPA ratings of 17 mpg city and 26 highway versus the V-8’s 15/23 scores. In reality, we ran the V-6 harder during our use. All this numbers make any car enthusiast crazy a fuel economy is a major factor to consider when buying a car.

Also, in theory, this Kia’s skidpad rating and 166-foot stopping distance from 70 mph suggest a car you could enjoy driving on an interesting country lane. Not so much, though. As with our long-termer, this test car lacked any sense for steady, straight-ahead travel, wanting constant small steering corrections even on flat, straight highways. That’s not hard, just tiresome. There’s lane-departure warning, but that just tells you the car has gone astray again it really wants lane, keeping assist, with automatic steering correction. This car sells better in markets where the owners mostly ride in back and pay someone else to wrestle with their K900’s laissez-faire directional stability. We came in from one drive through gusty crosswinds saying, “It’s the first car we ever wished would drive itself.”

Its suspension’s worst misbehaviors barely graze those that a body-on-frame, leaf-sprung, live-axle Detroit oxcart could exhibit back in the waning days of the previous century. The K900 also is built to a much higher quality standard on a sufficiently rigid and quiet structure. No rattles, no squeaks. It’s a modern car from its tire tread to its rooftop shark fin, just one that could use more refinement.

After Kia replaces this model with one based on the most recent Genesis, though, well, please remember that we didn’t laugh this time.